Review on Mountainsmith Youth Scout Backpack Lotus by Christine Fugleberg

I ordered two of these packs for our sons (ages 8 and 11) to use on weekends or week-long hikes. enable long-term use. The shoulder straps can be extended and retracted in about 1 inch increments (on each side, so moving them in a notch will move them a total of 2 inches closer together). Similar adjustments move the waist belt up and down. It took me about 10 minutes per pack to set them up. Despite the significant differences in each boy's physique, I managed to fit him in size almost perfectly. FEATURES: The main compartment is spacious enough for a lot of equipment. Two small pockets on the left and a long one on the right. The hood of the backpack contains a zip pocket and another large pocket on the back. This gives you plenty of room to separate your gear. There are also bungees for things like raincoats. The sleeping bag strap underneath is a cool feature and can be removed if needed. Although we make their backpacks lightweight, an older child or teen can easily carry as much gear as they need. WHEN USED: Our boys love to carry them around and have not complained of any fit or functionality issues. I can say that this pack is significantly better than the one I used 30 years ago. COMPLAINTS: The only downside (and a very small one) is that I found the settings a bit finicky. To make a basic adjustment, remove the split ring at the end of the rod, move the rod to a different hole, and then install the split ring. It's not bad, but it's not the most beautiful thing in the world. GENERAL: I think this is a well made product that not only offers enough customization options to grow with kids, but also a build quality that will last.